Welcome to The Listening Post, where each week we get an insight into the radio listening habits of a guest contributor. Once each person has made their picks, we ask them to nominate someone for the following week's Listening Post...
Last week after being nominated by his BBC Radio 1 colleague Chris Sawyer, Jacob Rickard who produces Annie Mac's Mon-Thurs show on BBC Radio 1 provided us with his listening highlights. They included Toddla T on BBC Radio 1/1Xtra, The Archers Omnibus and Guy Garvey's Finest Hour on 6 Music. You can view his full selections here.
Jacob has nominated Rowan Slaney, an Assistant Podcast Producer for The Guardian (and also Jacob's girlfriend!) to provide this week's Listening Post.
Check out Rowan's suggestions below...
Read more Radio to make you ready to face the world
1. Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland
"I've always listened to Radio 4 in the mornings, from early childhood up until about 3 months ago but then something came along and changed my world forever: Good Morning Scotland! The arrival of the BBC iPlayer app opened my eyes to the wealth of radio made by the BBC (not just the ones made in London) and this is a true gem. Though fast paced and full of news it’s lighthearted and happy. More and more the news makes me despair at how awful the world is which is not the nicest way to start a day but BBC Radio Scotland provide informative helpful news coverage that doesn’t make me feel helpless to the horrors going on. Hayley, Isabel and Gary beautifully present a programme that tells me what’s happening and that there is also good, much of which is trying to help. They leave this Londoner feeling ready to face the world. The Today Programme, take note."
>> Listen here
Heartwarming, practical advice
2. Savage Lovecast
"Oh my lord! I can not even with this one. It's incredible. Just incredible. It was introduced to me as a relationship and sex advice podcast and that it certainly is. Dan Savage dishes out advice by the bucket load and in return the questions he's received over the years have become more and more honest and open. Ranging from… well just give it a listen. It has a gentleness about it that I wasn’t expecting though, after you’ve got over the shock of hearing some of the more bizarre messages he's sent (honestly, you couldn't even begin to imagine), you really understand how strange and wonderful people can be. The advice is always thoughtful, rational and kind: Dan preaches the importance of loving yourself as well as more practical advice. It’s quite heart-warming on a morning commute, though I have nearly caused a hernia trying not to explode with laughter on the train."
>> Start listening here
Nostalgic belly laughs
3. The Ricky Gervais Show
"Ahh Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, Ricky. Will you ever know the effect you had on my teenage years? I can honestly say that without The Ricky Gervais show I would not be the person I am today. I first started listening when I was about 14 and became addicted. I listened to every single podcast on repeat every night for about 5 years, this is humour and then some. We all know the majesty of Gervais from The Office and Extras but this is, for me, his best work. It’s rich, rude and simple, just three people chatting in a studio. This perfect formula has meant that it is timeless, and though I could probably recite each episode word for word, it still gives me belly laughs to this day. Thank you Ricky, Steve and Karl for getting me though the minefield that is teenagehood."
>> Listen here
One to keep your eye on
4. Phil Taggart - BBC Radio 1, Sundays 10pm
"Can we talk about Phil Taggart please? Or more the utter travesty that is his declining number of shows? The mind boggles that he has only one show a week now. Regardless of the genre and pace of music his programmes are always a joy to listen to. It isn’t just his astonishingly good song choices either - Phil is an exceptional presenter. After every track he relays some information about that particular song as though it’s the most important track in the world: his clear enthusiasm for music is incredible and his seemingly effortless ability to keep me engaged for the entire show is a miracle in of itself. He’s one to keep an eye on. I’ll be saying 'I told you so' in 10 years."
>> Listen here
For learning that kilts aren't actually Scottish
5. The British History Podcast
"This is a new one to me - I only started listening a few weeks ago and regret not having found it earlier. It’s almost 200 episodes in. HOW WILL I CATCH UP!? The level of engagement, research, and humour Jamie Jeffers offers up made this irresistible. It’s not only that he’s clearly checked and then double checked the facts, but it’s the way he questions everything; no stone goes unturned, no questions unasked. He focuses as much on the major historical events as he does with the “kind of amazing” ordinary people, making a point to talk about that elusive 51% of the population that seemingly made no impact on the world: Women. It’s a delight to hear such an interesting, in-depth and witty podcast covering everything and everyone. I know I’m in safe hands and that I’m listening to someone who is not only obsessed with accuracy (did you know that kilts aren’t Scottish?) but is a wonderful storyteller too. More of this sort of thing I say!"
>> Listen here
Next Week's Listening Post:
"I hope I've inspired you to have a listen to one of my choices, they really are fantastic shows. But alas I must pass on this baton to my nominee Christy Evans, she's a freelance AP and an all round incredible human being. I'm sure she'll impress us all with her selection, no pressure Christy!"
Check back next week for Christy's selections...
